PM meets DFC CEO Benjamin Black to boost investment cooperation

Shehbaz invites DFC to Pakistan for financing in minerals, agriculture and IT sectors

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met Benjamin Black, chief executive officer of the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), to discuss expanding economic cooperation and investment in Pakistan.

Connor Coleman, head of investments at the DFC, and other senior officials of the agency were also present at the meeting.

The prime minister acknowledged the DFC’s portfolio of over $1 billion in Pakistan and underscored the alignment of economic priorities between the two countries, terming them mutually beneficial opportunities for business-to-business cooperation.

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Washington: CEO of United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Mr. Benjamin Black called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. pic.twitter.com/9hfxs6tovZ

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 20, 2026

He invited the DFC chief to visit Pakistan at the earliest to explore investment opportunities in sectors of shared interest and also invited the agency to participate in the upcoming minerals conference scheduled to be held in Islamabad in April.

Pakistan has invited both China and the United States to the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF) 2026, scheduled for April 8–9 in Islamabad, aiming to secure investment for an estimated $6–8 billion in annual mineral export potential.

The prime minister also appreciated the DFC’s key role in strengthening Pakistan-US economic partnership and promoting joint ventures between the private sectors of the two countries, which he said were vital for job creation and productivity growth.

Highlighting improving macroeconomic fundamentals, structural reforms and the government’s commitment to an investor-friendly environment, Shehbaz Sharif invited the DFC to enhance financing for projects in energy, mining and minerals, agriculture and information technology.

Benjamin Black briefed the prime minister on the DFC’s strategic initiatives, priorities and potential projects in Pakistan, expressing interest in expanding the agency’s investment footprint in the country.

The prime minister landed in Washington on February 19. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi accompanied him in the Pakistani delegation, alongside delegations from 20 other countries attending the ‘Board of Peace’ summit on Gaza in Washington.